Distribution of ground reaction forces of the concurrently loaded limbs of the Dutch Warmblood horse at the normal walk.
Abstract: The distribution of the ground reaction forces (GRF) over the concurrently loaded limbs of the normally walking horse was determined from 'representative' GRF patterns of all limbs, which were plotted in correct time order after analysis of simultaneously taken high-speed film. This procedure visualises the GRF patterns of each of the four limbs in relation to the GRF pattern(s) of the one or two concurrently loaded limb(s) during a complete stride. In 15 clinically sound horses the mean averaged GRF data and temporal stride parameters showed an almost complete symmetry between both the forelimbs and both the hindlimbs and resulted in a load distribution during the first half of the stride being almost identical to those in the second half of the stride. The transverse horizontal force (Fx) was maximum during the unilateral support phase. No more than one limb at a time contributed to either the deceleration or acceleration longitudinal horizontal (Fy) force. The total vertical (Fz) force of the concurrently loaded limbs during a complete stride fluctuated between 7 to 12 N/kg body weight. In a left forelimb lame horse, the decreased GRF amplitudes were compensated by increased GRF amplitudes in the three other limbs during both the swing phase and stance phase of the lame limb. Due to alterations of both GRF data and temporal stride parameters of the lame limb, as well as the three other limbs, the distribution of the GRF during the complete stride was changed dramatically.
Publication Date: 1988-05-01 PubMed ID: 3402418DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1988.tb01501.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research paper examines the distribution of ground reaction forces (GRF) in the limbs of a walking Dutch Warmblood horse. The findings showed symmetry in GRF between the forelimbs and hindlimbs, with only one limb contributing to the deceleration or acceleration force at a time.
Objective of The Research
- The paper intends to analyze the distribution of the Ground Reaction Forces (GRF) over the limbs of a horse that is walking normally.
- It does so by using ‘representative’ GRF patterns from each limb, properly time plotted after analyzing high-speed film captures.
Preliminary Findings and Observations
- Experiments carried out on 15 clinically sound horses showed an almost perfect symmetry between both the forelimbs and both the hindlimbs.
- The load distribution during the initial half of the stride was found to be almost identical to that in the second half of the stride.
- The transverse horizontal force (Fx) was maximum during the one-limb support phase.
- Only one limb was found to contribute to the deceleration or acceleration longitudinal horizontal (Fy) force at a time.
- The total vertical (Fz) force from all loaded limbs during a full stride fluctuated between 7 to 12 Newton per kilogram of body weight.
Findings Regarding a Lame Horse
- In the case of a horse with a lame left forelimb, the reduced GRF amplitudes are compensated by an increase in the GRF amplitudes of the other three limbs, during both the swing and the stance phases of the lame limb.
- Because of the modifications in the GRF data and stride timings of the lame limb and the other three limbs, the distribution of the GRF was observed to dramatically change during the full stride.
Overall Concept
- This analysis is valuable in understanding how horses adjust their movement and load distribution when one of the limbs is afflicted or injured.
- The strategies used by the horses to compensate for the lame limb can provide insights for improving and creating more effective treatments for equine lameness.
Cite This Article
APA
Merkens HW, Schamhardt HC.
(1988).
Distribution of ground reaction forces of the concurrently loaded limbs of the Dutch Warmblood horse at the normal walk.
Equine Vet J, 20(3), 209-213.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1988.tb01501.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of General and Large Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Extremities / physiology
- Gait
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses / physiology
- Lameness, Animal / physiopathology
- Motion Pictures
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